Volvo’s Pedestrian Airbag

Companies place an enormous emphasis on car safety. Their sales and reputation depend on producing reliable vehicles that not only drive well but also save lives. While few companies have managed to find the perfect formula, Volvo has been a master in its field, making meticulously crafted cars year after year. Now ready to reveal its newest technological improved, it looks like the company will retrain its crown.

New Volvo’s will have a rather unique protection system installed outside the vehicle that will ultimately save passengers that are hit at the front of the car. Creating an eternal bonnet airbag, the company hopes that the car will cushions any unlucky pedestrian if they get hit by their driver.

Volvo has revealed that the airbag will be fitted in its new V40 models. It hopes that through this initiative it will substantially curb the current 6,000 pedestrians who are killed or seriously injured because of front impact accidents.

It works on a network of complex sensors located in the bumper that detect when the vehicle hits a pedestrian the vehicle. The manufacture has fitted the bonnet with a large U-shaped airbag that protects the windscreen as well as the metal surrounding on the sides of the car, ultimately shielding those parties involved. The senior safety advisor Thomas Borberg stated that the airbag should “be effective in most frontal impacts.”

While the initial reaction may by skeptical, Volvo has assured consumers that such a device is likely to save lives in 85% of accidents involving front bumper incidents. Volvo has noted that the system functions when their vehicle is traveling between 12 mph and 31 mph, noting that these were the speeds in which urban road accidents take place.

Mr Broberg suggested that this is the first step in the companies 2020 vision where nobody is “killed or injury in a Volvo.” Quite an ambitious goal, Volvo has a great deal ahead of them before it can truly say something that grand.

While an effort such as this should be commended, its proper application will reveal a rather more accurate portrayal of its new system in action. Perhaps, if it works as well as Volvo suggests, this technology will not only be accepted in a wider array of the companies models but also become an industry standard.

Search by manufacturer

Connect with us

Car news on Twitter

Facebook friends

Bio

Mike has been in love with cars for as long as he could remember. At the age of 4, gazing out of his parents flat, he could already name most of the car makes and models. He's currently completing a law degree but still loves everything about cars and hopes to have a large collection one day. When he's not writing for a number of journalistic outlets, he enjoys reading, watching films, and relaxing by playing on his guitar.

Christmas Opening Hours

Our website uses cookies

We use performance, social media and advertising cookies to improve your browser experience, integrate with social media and show relevant, personalised advertisements tailored to your interests. Click ‘Accept’ to accept these cookies and continue browsing. For more information or to amend your preferences, visit our privacy policy.